Below you'll find insider tips on getting the best from Geneva, from hints on finding a home to reviews of the hottest restaurants in town.
Not registered yet? Sign up now for special offers, community updates and an exclusive 15% discount off all products in our e-shop.
Television
Television (Local Channels)
If you were thinking of bringing your TV with you to Geneva, think again – there is a different transmission standard in Switzerland, and TV sets from other countries may not work. Bad news if you’ve just bought a brand new telly, but at least it’s one less thing to pack! So, shortly after you arrive you’ll be doing the rounds at TV shops, and one important feature you should consider is getting a TV with teletext – this will allow you to have subtitles on foreign language programmes and films.
It is mandatory to have a TV licence (‘concession’), which costs SFr 264 per year and is payable quarterly. An organisation called ‘Billag’ supplies licences, and you can call them (0844 834 834) or visit their Website (www.billag.ch) for more information.
The licence funds the TV channels you receive in Geneva, which are TSR 1, TSR 2 and Léman Bleu Télévision. Most TV sets will also be able to receive TF 1, France 2 and France 3 (all French channels).
Virtually all Geneva buildings have cable TV. The connection is via a socket that connects to your TV aerial. Geneva’s cable network (Telegeneve – 0844 822 123) offers around 30 channels in various languages. English language channels include CNN, BBC World, and BBC Prime. Depending on what channels are provided, cable TV costs between SFr 10 and SFr 40 per month. Check with your landlord, as the cable could be included in your apartment’s monthly costs. If not, it is billed annually. Additional channels are available through monthly subscription, but for this you need a decoder (available at most electrical shops).
The Swiss television channels are broadcast in French, German and Italian, but for some films and soaps you can opt for the original, undubbed version. Euronews broadcasts some of its programmes in English. You can also pick up several French channels in Geneva if your TV is both PAL and SECAM compatible.
Many places now have cable and/or satellite, which provide channels from all over the world and immediately expand viewing choice.
Radio
Geneva has a number of commercial radio stations, most of which broadcast in French. There are two English stations.
The main English radio station in Geneva is WRG FM (88.4 FM), which broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They regularly feature interviews with members of the local community, quizzes, special reports, local news (as well as the BBC world news every hour on the hour during the day and in the evenings), traffic information, and a wide variety of music from the latest pop to classical and jazz. The schedule can be viewed on their Website (www.wrgfm.com). You can also listen online. Another English speaking radio station that broadcasts from just over the border in France is Radio 74 (88.8 FM).
The main French speaking radio stations broadcasting out of Geneva are Europe 2 (90.1 FM), Nostalgie (105 FM), NRJ (103.6 FM), One FM (107 FM), Radio Cité (92.2 FM), Radio Lac (91.8, 93 and 95.6 FM) and Radio Suisse Romande, which has several stations (La Première - 94.9 FM, Espace 2 - 101.7 FM, Couleur 3 - 104.4 FM and Option Musique - 90.8 FM).
If you were thinking of bringing your TV with you to Geneva, think again – there is a different transmission standard in Switzerland, and TV sets from other countries may not work. Bad news if you’ve just bought a brand new telly, but at least it’s one less thing to pack! So, shortly after you arrive you’ll be doing the rounds at TV shops, and one important feature you should consider is getting a TV with teletext – this will allow you to have subtitles on foreign language programmes and films.
It is mandatory to have a TV licence (‘concession’), which costs SFr 264 per year and is payable quarterly. An organisation called ‘Billag’ supplies licences, and you can call them (0844 834 834) or visit their Website (www.billag.ch) for more information.
The licence funds the TV channels you receive in Geneva, which are TSR 1, TSR 2 and Léman Bleu Télévision. Most TV sets will also be able to receive TF 1, France 2 and France 3 (all French channels).
Virtually all Geneva buildings have cable TV. The connection is via a socket that connects to your TV aerial. Geneva’s cable network (Telegeneve – 0844 822 123) offers around 30 channels in various languages. English language channels include CNN, BBC World, and BBC Prime. Depending on what channels are provided, cable TV costs between SFr 10 and SFr 40 per month. Check with your landlord, as the cable could be included in your apartment’s monthly costs. If not, it is billed annually. Additional channels are available through monthly subscription, but for this you need a decoder (available at most electrical shops).
The Swiss television channels are broadcast in French, German and Italian, but for some films and soaps you can opt for the original, undubbed version. Euronews broadcasts some of its programmes in English. You can also pick up several French channels in Geneva if your TV is both PAL and SECAM compatible.
Many places now have cable and/or satellite, which provide channels from all over the world and immediately expand viewing choice.
Radio
Geneva has a number of commercial radio stations, most of which broadcast in French. There are two English stations.
The main English radio station in Geneva is WRG FM (88.4 FM), which broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They regularly feature interviews with members of the local community, quizzes, special reports, local news (as well as the BBC world news every hour on the hour during the day and in the evenings), traffic information, and a wide variety of music from the latest pop to classical and jazz. The schedule can be viewed on their Website (www.wrgfm.com). You can also listen online. Another English speaking radio station that broadcasts from just over the border in France is Radio 74 (88.8 FM).
The main French speaking radio stations broadcasting out of Geneva are Europe 2 (90.1 FM), Nostalgie (105 FM), NRJ (103.6 FM), One FM (107 FM), Radio Cité (92.2 FM), Radio Lac (91.8, 93 and 95.6 FM) and Radio Suisse Romande, which has several stations (La Première - 94.9 FM, Espace 2 - 101.7 FM, Couleur 3 - 104.4 FM and Option Musique - 90.8 FM).
